10,000 baby boomers reach retirement age each day. By 2040, more than 80 million people in the United States will be over the age of 65. Demand for assisted living communities is expected to double in the years ahead.
But there’s a disconnect: More than 80% of assisted living residents are aged more than 75 years, and more than 50% are aged more than 85. Most residents wait to move until they can no longer live independently and need the additional assistance. Therefore, although they benefit from the extra care, they miss out on the freedom and flexibility to enjoy the lifestyle of leisure and ease that they would have gained had they moved earlier, when they were healthier and more active. They’ve passed the point of being able to fully enjoy activities and amenities.
For older adults aged 65 to 75, senior living providers have a tremendous opportunity to create communities that empower residents to continue their active lifestyles, embrace new experiences and enjoy the luxuries they’ve worked hard to earn.
I’m talking about luxury senior living communities that are not traditional retirement homes with a focus on healthcare. Rather, these developments target active, healthy, well-heeled retirees who seek a sense of community and a place for luxury activities — a home-base for their bucket-list. They feature high-quality design that is inviting, refined, supportive of programming and showing an attention to detail. They include a variety of personal care options to address residents’ evolving needs. They accommodate multi-generational families, such as children and grandchildren who enjoy visiting. And they provide abundant space and services that enable residents to enrich this chapter of their lives.
Luxury senior living communities are places where residents gain connection and access as well as the convenience of services and amenities without the worry of maintenance, security or safety. Residents are well cared for, and yet — emerging from life’s most hectic decades — now can start doing things they want to do for themselves.
Baby boomers are now aged 59 to 78. For those toward the middle or older parts of this group, retiring with record-setting wealth, consider that such senior living communities can become luxury destinations, places where they can continue to live and expand their lifestyles. Here’s how:
Nurture the art of hospitality
Like a resort vacation, where a concierge offers a long and varied list of available activities and services, luxury senior living communities can empower residents to program their own lifestyles:
- Flexible spaces with a variety of inviting seating areas, layered with refined materials and art, encourage social gatherings and spark spontaneous connections that build a sense of belonging.
- Cafe and lounge spaces — open continuously, without prescribed mealtimes or menus — as well as demonstration kitchens, wine cellars, and private dining rooms further enhance the luxury offerings.
- And family rooms, with full kitchens and ample space for family and friends to gather, enable residents to invite people in and continue meaningful traditions, nurturing the sense that life is continuing to expand, simply in a new setting.
Design diverse spaces and activities
Baby boomers have enormous buying power, and as they approach or enter retirement, they are investing in new luxuries. They seek spaces to continue hobbies and traditions and to start new ones, places that ensure that they’re not leaving anything behind but rather gaining access and opportunity.
- A workshop can offer tools for woodworking and crafting.
- “Maker spaces” can provide easels, pottery wheels, kilns and more, to enable artists to continue creating.
- A “jam room” can offer professional-level instruments and bring together resident musicians.
- Coworking spaces serve the residents who aren’t yet fully retired or who consider their work as a meaningful creative outlet.
- Fitness and wellness spaces and spa-like services help residents take a proactive approach to health and promote longevity.
- Pickleball courts and other recreation amenities attract active residents and their multigenerational guests.
- And flex spaces can be offered for storage, for the stuff that’s worth holding onto.
Take care of employees
Although assisting with activities of daily living and healthcare needs is not the primary purpose of a luxury senior living community, impeccable service is expected in a luxury setting, so employees never must be an afterthought. Providing well-designed workspaces and break rooms with natural light and fresh air; a variety of furnishings for dining, lounging or resting; and outdoor access can boost staff engagement and retention. Prioritizing a positive employee experience empowers workers to deliver a seamless resident experience and underscores the caring mentality and approach that is so important to this audience.
For adults aged more than 65 years who still are healthy and active, with years of fulfillment ahead of them, luxury senior living communities can nurture the carefree and leisurely lifestyle that they are ready to embrace and enjoy.
Natalie M. Ruiz, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, CDT, is associate principal, luxury multifamily residential and senior/later living at WATG, a global integrated design firm specializing in advising, master planning, architecture, landscaping and interior design.
The opinions expressed in each McKnight’s Senior Living guest column are those of the author and are not necessarily those of McKnight’s Senior Living.
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